Maersk Line expects that retrofitting of the bulbous bows on the containers will lead to improved fuel efficiency by eight percent

Five Maersk Line container vessels undergo retrofitting of bulbous bows in attempt to improve energy efficiency

Maersk Container Line has sent a series of its Boston class vessels to Qingdao, China, for the retrofitting of bulbous bows to improve fuel consumption.

The move was prompted by the high costs of operating the vessels, which were originally designed for high speed. The retrofitting is being conducted in the expectation that fuel costs can be reduced by approximately eight percent in the current slow-steaming environment.

Four out of the five vessels retrofitted were sent to Qingdao, China, and have now been delivered to their customer, Seago Line.

The fifth vessel, Maersk Brownsville, remained in Europe due to the high cost of transporting her to Asia. The bulbous bow, manufactured in China, was transported to the discharge port, Setubal in Portugal, in five parts.

The Maersk Brownsville is expected to be ready with its new energy-efficient bulbous on 8 February, and will enter service as the Seago Piraeus.